Service conductors NEC 230
Service conductors NEC 230
(OP)
It is my understanding that overhead service conductors shall be protected against physical damage as per 230.50 A according to 230.50 B. Recently, an electrician installed overhead service conductors from the service drop conductors to a meter socket on a pole. The overhead service conductors were not placed within a raceway (conduit and a service head). The installation took place on an electric utility's pole. The electrician had all of the appropriate permits to install the meter socket on the pole to feed a rectifier unit. The electrician and the electrical inspector indicated that the installation was built according to the NEC 2008, article 230. The type of conductor utilized for the installation were copper overhead conductors type SE-Style R.
My question is:
I am not able to locate exactly where under the NEC 230 it allows the above mention conductors to not be protected by a raceway type as permitted per 230.50 B.
Can anyone give any advice to set me straight on where exactly the NEC allows the above mentioned installation?
My question is:
I am not able to locate exactly where under the NEC 230 it allows the above mention conductors to not be protected by a raceway type as permitted per 230.50 B.
Can anyone give any advice to set me straight on where exactly the NEC allows the above mentioned installation?






RE: Service conductors NEC 230
I'm not totally clear on the installation, but it may be legal per NEC. Also, NEC does not apply on the utility's side of the service point.
RE: Service conductors NEC 230
Compare to similar installations in the town. Insulated conductors on messenger wires is the most common method for OH service drop conductors.
Rafiq Bulsara
http://www.srengineersct.com
RE: Service conductors NEC 230
Re-reading your post, if the meter is on the pole, then the conductors between the meter and the building (service disconnect) needs to be protected. But 230.50(B)(1)(5) "Other approved means" is subject to interpretation.
I did not check the entire code but overhead installation is not necessarily prohibited by code. You may want to consult the local inspector.
Rafiq Bulsara
http://www.srengineersct.com
RE: Service conductors NEC 230
RE: Service conductors NEC 230
RE: Service conductors NEC 230
RE: Service conductors NEC 230
Alan
"The engineer's first problem in any design situation is to discover what the problem really is." Unk.